Motor vehicle with a mechanically-operable safety belt system

ABSTRACT

A motor vehicle body in which a seat having a backrest is fitted with a mechanically operable three point safety belt system, the belt system having mutually independent shoulder and lap belt sections. The belt system includes a first attachment means receiving one end of the shoulder belt section and a second attachment means receiving one end of the lap belt section, the first and second attachment means being located at upper and lower locations, respectively, of a side wall of the vehicle body. A third attachment means located at the center of the vehicle body receives the other ends of both belt sections. The belt system is characterized in that a flexible stiffener member carrying drive engageable means is secured to a substantial length of each belt section. The third attachment means comprises a guide device with the two belt sections passing through guide sleeves in the guide device. The guide sleeves are equipped with drive means engageable with the drive engageable means on the belt section stiffeners. The stiffened belt sections are extensible by the drive means into an extended position in which they form free-standing belt loops which, by pivoting the guide sleeves substantially about an axis lying in the plane of the seat backrest, can be pivoted into an inoperative position.

United States Patent [1 1 Spahl 41 MOTOR VEHICLE WITH AMECHANlCALLY-OPERABLE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM [75] Inventor: Edwin Spahl,Cologne, Germany [73] Assignee: Ford Motor Company, Dearborn,

Mich.

[22] Filed: Mar. 15, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 234,722

3,583,726 6/1971 Lindblad 280/150 SB Primary Examiner-Robert R. SongAt!orney-Keith L. Zerschling et al.

[ 1 Dec. 18, 1973 57 ABSTRACT A motor vehicle body in which a seathaving a backrest is fitted with a mechanically operable three pointsafety belt system, the belt system having mutually independent shoulderand lap belt sections. The belt system includes a first attachment meansreceiving one end of the shoulder belt section and a second attachmentmeans receiving one end of the lap belt section, the first and secondattachment means being located at upper and lower locations,respectively, of a side wall of the vehicle body. A third attachmentmeans located at the center of the vehicle body receives the other endsof both belt sections.

The belt system is characterized in that a flexible stiffener membercarrying drive engageable means is secured to a substantial length ofeach belt section. The third attachment means comprises a guide devicewith the two belt sections passing through guide sleeves in the guidedevice. The guide sleeves are equipped with drive means engageable withthe drive engageable means on the belt section stiffeners. The stiffenedbelt sections are extensible by the drive means into an extendedposition in which they form free-standing belt loops which, by pivotingthe guide sleeves substantially about an axis lying in the plane of theseat backrest, can be pivoted into an inoperative position.

14 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDuEC 1 8 [an 3; 779578 I SHEET 2 u;3

MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A MECHANICALLY-OPERABLE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM A motorvehicle with a mechanically operable safety belt system of the kindintroductorily described is already known in which the third attachmentpoint of a three-point safety belt is mechanically displaceable in aguide in the vehicle door. The two other attachment points in this casehave to be located at the vehicle center.

In these known safety belt systems, a variety of difficulties arise.

The attachment of the inner, upper attachment point to a roofcross-member is too high, attachment to a vertical center pillarrequires extra constructional outlay, and attachment to the backrest ofthe seat makes it necessary to reinforce the entire seat construction aswell as the seat fixings.

Securement of the third attachment point to the vehicle door makes itnecessary to reinforce the bottom edge of the door in the neighborhoodof the latch mechanism and possibly to provide an additional latchmechanism to the door sill.

The accessibility to the seat, which is available on entry to thevehicle when this kind of safety belt system is fitted, is inadequate,despite the belt reel-in mechanism which is needed, because of thepresence of the belt sections which extend obliquely over the seat.

The object of the invention is to create a mechanically operable safetybelt system in which the attachment points provided in the vehicle forconventional seating belts can be utilized, and in which no interferencewith freedom of access to the seat results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, the objectiveis achieved in that mutually independent shoulder and lap belts areprovided over theirfull length with an elastic stiffening insertcarrying a drive profile, the two belt sections each being passedthrough respective guide sleeves equipped with drive mechanisms, andhaving a length such that in the extended position they formfree-standing belt loops which, by pivoting the guide sleevessubstantially about an axis lying in the plane of the seat backrest, canbe pivoted into an inoperative position.

The stiffening insert will in this context preferably be constituted byan elastic synthetic material band secured for example byinjectionmolding to a known kind of belt.

The drive profile will in this context preferably be constituted byperforations formed in the stiffening insert.

The stiffening insert is provided at specific locations with notches orincursions to achieve locally different radii of curvature in the beltloop.

The belt ends secured in pivotal fashion to the top and bottom of thevehicle body side wall are preloaded in the direction of the restposition of the free-standing belt loops, and are pivotable, through themedium of mechanical or electromechanical spring mechanisms and stops.

Arranged in a pivotable fixing component carrying the two guide sleevesthere is a locking device common to the two belt sections and operatedindependently of the belt motion or the vehicle deceleration, whichdevice takes the form of a locking roller movable in a taper slotbetween the two belt sections.

The drive unit of one guide sleeve, preferably the one belonging to theshoulder belt, is here connected to the drive unit of the other guidesleeve, the one associated with the lap belt, via a transmission devicewhich substantially doubles the extension movement of the belt.

One drive unit is in this context operable by an electric motor whichcan be switched in manually or as a function of operations such' as thestarting of the engine or the like.

The electric motor is here provided in the belt extension direction witha limit switch device and in the belt closing direction with adisconnect device which limits the belt tension.

A mechanically operable safety belt system in accordance with theinvention can be assembled to the conventional fixing points which arepresent on the body- 'work for normal safety belts, so that noreinforcing of DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will beexplained in more detail making reference to an example illustratedschematically in I the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic side elevation of a motor vehicle whoseoccupants are adapted to be secured by a safety belt system inaccordance with the invention, the closed belt sections having beenshown in full line, the extended belt sections in chaindotted line andthe belt sections pivoted back into the'inoperative position, in brokenline.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic plan view of the drivers seat in FIG. 1,showing the trajectories of the belt sections.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic front elevation of the drivers seat asFIG. 1 showing the trajectories of the belt sections.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic elevation and assembly of a drivemechanism.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic section on the line VV of FIG. 4 with asecond guide sleeve rotated at the plane of section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic side elevation of afourdoor motor vehicle, the vehicle doors having been omitted.

A front and a rear seat in the motor vehicle have each been indicated byan occupant shown in thick chaindotted line.

Each occupant is secured by a three-point safety belt in accordance withthe invention consisting of a shoulder belt S and a lap belt B. Theshoulder and lap belts S and B are pivotally attached to the vehicleside wall through a conventional upper attachment point 0 and aconventional lower attachment point U, respectively. The other ends ofthe two belt sections S and B are passed through a drive mechanism Awhich is pivotally secured to the bodywork and to a third attachmentpoint M.

The trajectories of the two belt sections S and B are indicated in fulllines for the case in which the safety belt encompasses on the wearer.The trajectories of the belt sections when extended through the drivemechanisms A are indicated in thin chain-dotted line and marked S and B.The trajectories of the belt sections after pivoting into theirinoperative positions are indicated in broken line and marked S" and B".

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the same references have been used.

From FIG. 2, the trajectory of the envelope H, indicated indash-double-dotted line, of the residual belt lengths when the safetybelt is closed, has been shown.

From FIG. 3 it can be seen that in their inoperative positions, the beltsections are supported against parts of the side wall and roof trim ofthe passenger space. This supporting of the belt sections in theirinoperative position can be achieved by pulling out an additional lengthof belt after the belt sections have been pivoted. The free-standingbelt loops are then stabilized in their inoperative positions.

In FIG. 4, a drive unit A has been illustrated in the form of aschematic side elevation. The drive unit A has a guide sleeve HB for thelap belt B and a guide sleeve HS for the shoulder belt.

In FIG. 4, the stiffening insert V of elastic synthetic material, whichextends over the entire length of the shoulder and lap straps S and B,can be seen, and this can be attached to a known kind of webbing belt,for example by injection-molding and have a substantially rectangular ortrapezoidal cross'section. The stiffening insert V is provided over itsentire length with a drive profile, preferably in the form ofperforations P.

The cross-section of the stiffening insert V must be so dimensioned, inaccordance with the perforations P, that the insert can hold theextended belt in the form of a free-standing loop.

The stiffening insert V can in this context be provided at specificpoints with notches or incursions in order to achieve locally differingradii of curvature in the belt loop.

In order to influence the formation of free-standing belt loops in adesired manner, the belt ends pivotally attached to the attachmentpoints and U respectively at top and bottom of the vehicle side wall,that is to say the ends of the belt sections S and B, can be preloadedin the direction of the inoperative position of the freestanding beltloops, and be pivotable, this through the medium of mechanical orelectromechanical spring mechanisms and stops.

By these measures it becomes possible to form the freestanding beltloops so that they are rotated not merely in one plane but in athree-dimensional fashion.

Each guide sleeve I-IB and HS contains drive gears rb and rs which aredriven by an electric motor e through a coupling shaft k and adistributor gear g. The drive gear rb is in this context operated atabout twice the speed of the drive gear RS so that the two belt sectionsS and B can be extended within the same time interval to formfree-standing belt loops of approximately the same size.

The two guide sleeves HB and HS are connected to a supporting componentT in which a locking device, operated in dependence upon the belt motionor the vehicle deceleration and common to both belt sections S and B, isprovided, said device taking the form of a locking roller located in atapered slot between the two belt sections, the locking roller W beinglifted by a mechanism WM in dependence upon the motion or deceleration.

The belt motion produced by the electric motor E in the direction ofbelt extension is here controlled by limit switch arrangements while thebelt motion in the direction of closure of the belt on the wearer isrestricted by a disconnect device which limits the belt tension.

The switching on of the electric motor E of the drive unit A can beeffected manually or in dependence upon operations such as the startingof the engine and the like.

The pivoting motion of the drive unit A can be produced either manuallyby the electric motor E or by an electromechanical spring mechanism.

The pivoting device of drive unit A, illustrated in FIG. 5 in the formof an extension to the guide sleeve HS, can, in other desings, equallywell be arranged on the supporting component T or on the guide sleeveI-IB.

I claim:

l. A motor vehicle body in which a seat having a backrest is fitted witha mechanically operable three point safety belt system,

the belt system having mutually independent shoulder and lap beltsections,

a first and a second attachment means at an upper and a lower location,respectively, on a side wall of the vehicle body,

the first attachment means receiving one end of the shoulder beltsection and the second attachment means receiving one end of the lapbelt section,

and a third attachment means located at the center of the vehiclebodyreceiving the other ends of both belt sections,

characterized in that a flexible stiffener member carrying driveengageable means is secured to a substantial length of each beltsection,

the third attachment means comprising a guide means mounted for pivotalmovement about a pivot axis lying substantially in the plane of the seatbackrest,

the stiffened belt sections passing through guide sleeves in the guidedevice,

and a drive mechanism mounted in juxtaposition to the guide devicehaving drive means housed in the guide sleeves in driving engagementwith the drive engageable means on the flexible stiffener members,

the belt sections having a length such that in extended position theyform free standing belt loops which can be pivoted into an inoperativeposition above the backrest,

the drive mechanism being operative to extend and retract the beltsections from operative seat passenger position to inoperative position.

2. A motor vehicle body having a safety belt system as claimed in claim1,

characterized in that the stiffener member consists of an elasticsynthetic material band secured to the conventional belt.

3. A motor vehicle body having a safety belt system as claimed in claim2,

characterized in that the drive engageable means is constituted byperforations formed in the stiffener member. 4. A motor vehicle bodyhaving a safety belt system as claimed in claim 3, I

characterized in that the guide device comprises a supporting componentcarrying the guide sleeves, A locking device operable as a function ofthe belt motion or the vehicle deceleration and common to both beltsections is mounted on the supporting component, the locking devicetaking the form of a locking roller movable in a taper slot between thetwo belt sections. 5. A motor vehicle having a safety belt system asclaimed in claim 4,

characterized in that the drive means housed in the guide sleeveassociated with the shoulder belt is connected with the drive means ofthe other guide sleeve, that of the lap belt, via a transmission devicewhich substantially doubles the extension motion of the shoulder belt.6. A motor vehicle having a safety belt system as claimed in claim 5,

characterized in that the drive means are driven by an electric motor.7. A motor vehicle body having a safety belt system as claimed in claim1,

characterized in that the drive engageable means is constituted byperforations formed in the stiffener member. v 8. A motor vehicle havinga safety belt system as claimed in claim 7,

characterized in that the guide device comprises a supporting componentcarrying the guide sleeves, a locking device operable as a function ofthe belt motion or the vehicle deceleration and common to both beltsections is mounted on the supporting component, the locking devicetaking the form of a locking roller movable in a taper slot between thetwo belt sections. 9. A motor vehicle having a safety belt system asclaimed in claim 8,

characterized in that the drive means housed in the guide sleeveassociated with the shoulder belt is connected with the drive means ofthe other guide sleeve, that of the lap belt, via a transmission devicewhich substantially doubles the extension motion of the shoulder belt.10. A motor vehicle having a safety belt system as claimed in claim 9,

characterized in that the drive means are driven by an electric motor.11. A motor vehicle body having a safety belt system as claimed in claim1,

characterized in that the guide device comprises a supporting componentcarrying the guide sleeves, a locking device operable as a function ofthe belt motion or the vehicle deceleration and common to both beltsections is mounted on the supporting component, the locking devicetaking the form of a locking roller movable in a taper slot between thetwo belt sections. 12. A motor vehicle body having a safety belt systemas claimed in claim 11,

characterized in that the drive means housed in the guide sleeveassociated with the shoulder belt is connected with the drive means ofthe other guide sleeve, that of the lap belt, via a transmission devicewhich substantially doubles the extension motion of the shoulder belt.13. A motor vehicle having a safety belt system as claimed in claim 12,

characterized in that the drive means can be driven by an electricmotor. 14. A motor vehicle body having a safety belt system as claimedin claim 1,

characterized in that the drive means housed in the guide sleeveassociated with the shoulder belt is connected with the drive means ofthe other guide sleeve, that of the lap belt, via a transmission devicewhich substantially doubles the extension motion of the shoulder belt.

1. A motor vehicle body in which a seat having a backrest is fitted witha mechanically operable three point safety belt system, the belt systemhaving mutually independent shoulder and lap belt sections, a first anda second attachment means at an upper and a lower location,respectively, on a side wall of the vehicle body, the first attachmentmeans receiving one end of the shoulder belt section and the secondattachment means receiving one end of the lap belt section, and a thirdattachment means located at the center of the vehicle body receiving theother ends of both belt sections, characterized in that a flexiblestiffener member carrying drive engageable means is secured to asubstantial length of each belt section, the third attachment meanscomprising a guide means mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axislying substantially in the plane of the seat backrest, the stiffenedbelt sections passing through guide sleeves in the guide device, and adrive mechanism mounted in juxtaposition to the guide device havingdrive means housed in the guide sleeves in driving engagement with thedrive engageable means on the flexible stiffener members, the beltsections having a length such that in extended position they form freestanding belt loops which can be pivoted into an inoperative positionabove the backrest, the drive mechanism being operative to extend andretract the belt sections from operative seat passenger position toinoperative position.
 2. A motor vehicle body having a safety beltsystem as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the stiffener memberconsists of an elastic synthetic material band secured to theconventional belt.
 3. A motor vehicle body having a safety belt systemas claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the drive engageable meansis constituted by perforations formed in the stiffener member.
 4. Amotor vehicle body having a safety belt system as claimed in claim 3,characterized in that the guide device comprises a supporting componentcarrying the guide sleeves, A locking device operable as a function ofthe belt motion or the vehicle deceleration and common to both beltsections is mounted on the supporting component, the locking devicetaking the form of a locking roller movable in a taper slot between thetwo belt sections.
 5. A motor vehicle having a safety belt system asclaimed in claim 4, characterized in that the drive means housed in theguide sleeve associated with the shoulder belt is connected with thedrive means of the other guide sleeve, that of the lap belt, via atransmission device which substantially doubles the extension motion ofthe shoulder belt.
 6. A motor vehicle having a safety belt system asclaimed in claim 5, characterized in that the drive means are driven byan electric motor.
 7. A motor vehicle body having a safety belt systemas claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the drive engageable meansis constituted by perforations formed in the stiffener member.
 8. Amotor vehicle having a safety belt system as claimed in claim 7,characterized in that the guide device comprises a supporting componentcarrying the guide sleeves, a locking device operable as a function ofthe belt motion or the vehicle deceleration and common to both beltsections is mounted on the supporting component, the locking devicetaking the form of a locking roller movable in a taper slot between thetwo belt sections.
 9. A motor vehicle having a Safety belt system asclaimed in claim 8, characterized in that the drive means housed in theguide sleeve associated with the shoulder belt is connected with thedrive means of the other guide sleeve, that of the lap belt, via atransmission device which substantially doubles the extension motion ofthe shoulder belt.
 10. A motor vehicle having a safety belt system asclaimed in claim 9, characterized in that the drive means are driven byan electric motor.
 11. A motor vehicle body having a safety belt systemas claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the guide device comprisesa supporting component carrying the guide sleeves, a locking deviceoperable as a function of the belt motion or the vehicle decelerationand common to both belt sections is mounted on the supporting component,the locking device taking the form of a locking roller movable in ataper slot between the two belt sections.
 12. A motor vehicle bodyhaving a safety belt system as claimed in claim 11, characterized inthat the drive means housed in the guide sleeve associated with theshoulder belt is connected with the drive means of the other guidesleeve, that of the lap belt, via a transmission device whichsubstantially doubles the extension motion of the shoulder belt.
 13. Amotor vehicle having a safety belt system as claimed in claim 12,characterized in that the drive means can be driven by an electricmotor.
 14. A motor vehicle body having a safety belt system as claimedin claim 1, characterized in that the drive means housed in the guidesleeve associated with the shoulder belt is connected with the drivemeans of the other guide sleeve, that of the lap belt, via atransmission device which substantially doubles the extension motion ofthe shoulder belt.